This is one of two PhD positions that are part of an international and multidisciplinary research project funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme entitled “Water Efficient Allocation in a Central Asian Transboundary River Basin”. The overall project goal is to develop and demonstrate a climate-sensitive Decision Support System (DSS) for water allocation in two sub-catchments of a transboundary glacier-fed river basin in Central Asia. Based on an innovative, data-driven water information system rooted in a deep understanding of local water availability, users’ water needs, water footprints, and allocation principles and policies, the project will enable local water managers and stakeholders to increase shared benefits for communities, the economy, and the environment, while fostering the adaptation of water resources management and planning to climate change.
The specific focus of your PhD project is to estimate water demand, water footprints, and virtual water trade for the case study basins, both for the current situation and for alternative future scenarios informed by climate change and drivers such as population growth, land-use changes, and changes in energy production. Hereto, you will use and develop high-resolution water footprint assessment models and frameworks that cover a full array of water using activities. You will work together with other project partners, first to obtain global and local data to feed and validate the model estimates, and second to integrate your results with water availability estimates obtained by other partners into a water allocation model that forms the foundation of the DSS. Beside the clear policy relevance of your work, this PhD project has strong potential in improving our scientific understanding of how climate change affects sustainable, equitable, and resilient water allocation in glacier-fed river basins.
Information and application
For additional information regarding this position, you can contact prof.dr.ir. Markus Berger, email m.berger@utwente.nl.
Women are explicitly asked to apply for this position. This is part of the University of Twente’s strategy to increase the proportion of women among its faculty and to create a working environment that is diverse and inclusive and supportive of excellence in research and teaching.
Please apply by uploading in one integrated file::
- a motivation letter (1 page),
- your CV (max 3 pages),
- relevant certificates and references
until 15 October 2022 using the link below.
The first (online) job interview will take place on 8 or 9 November 2022.
A Game Based Assessment can be part of the selection procedure.
About the department
Freshwater is essential to sustain life, economic development and the environment, but it is also a vulnerable resource whose availability and quality varies strongly around the globe. We need to understand the natural and socio-economic processes that affect water resources and develop solutions for water scarcity, flooding and pollution.
The Chair of Multidisciplinary Water Management (MWM) develops and applies holistic approaches which promote sustainable and resilient management of water systems. Particularly, we study the dynamics of supply and demand of water resources in interaction with climate, land use, energy transition and agricultural management as well as production, trade and consumption. The methods we use include water footprint and life cycle assessment, hydrological modelling and integrated
About the organization
The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
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